Rec Room: Lots of events to attend during the next month

Bootfest is a little more than a week away. You don't want to miss this free event in downtown Victoria.

There will be so many activities for everyone of all ages, including two days of live music on two stages, a special Kids Corral area for the younger ones, a full lineup of arts and crafts vendors, a variety of food vendors, an art show competition, fireworks and much more.

Come on down and showcase your washer-pitching skills at the first-ever Bootfest Washers Tournament.

Great prizes will be available for the first- and second-place teams. Best of all, this tournament is entirely free. Just print and fill out the downloadable registration form at visitvictoriatexas.com.

Bootfest volunteers are still needed as well. If you are a student in need of volunteer hours, a citizen who enjoys volunteering or a business or corporation with employees who want to volunteer, please contact Marie Lester at 361-485-3230 or email bootfestvolunteer@victoriatx.org. You can also learn more about Bootfest volunteer opportunities at bootfest.org.

Fall has arrived and, with that said, this time of year is one of the busiest for the Parks and Recreation staff.

Our staff is getting ready for the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition this Saturday, and the Haunted Hayride on Oct. 26 in Riverside Park.

The area NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick competition will be at Riverside Stadium at 1 p.m. Participants can register Monday through Friday at the Parks and Recreation Office at 476 McCright Drive in Riverside Park. Registration also will be open from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Stadium.

This free competition is open to boys and girls in Victoria and the surrounding communities. Participants in age divisions 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15 will compete in punting, passing, and place kicking skills. Boys and girls will compete separately. The top scorers will advance to the sectional competition. Guardians must bring a copy of the participant's birth certificate as proof of age. For more information, call 361-485-3200.

The Haunted Hayride is a fun event that will put everyone into the Halloween spirit. The Haunted Hayride starts at dusk and lasts until 10 p.m. The Hayride starts at Riverside Stadium and loops through the park. We are searching for 30 to 40 volunteers to help with the Haunted Hayride. All you have to do is dress up in costume and scare people as they ride through the park on the hayride. We provide the costumes and makeup and you provide the talent. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at 361-485-3200.

Doug Cochran is the director of parks and recreation for the Victoria Parks and Recreation Department. Contact him at 361-485-3200 or dcochran@victoriatx.org.